White Maiden 01
The morning of the first day of school, sitting at the Honey Grass' counter were Forteres and Aran, having a generous breakfast. Both of them were already dressed in ForBrates' uniform; black trousers with a black blazer, both with white trims, and though the fabric had a smooth and delicate look it was actually quite resistant.
"... So, is it the time?" The labrador of always was also there, sitting in the place next to the panther, donning a serious expression.
"Yes, it is." Behind the counter, Garner had a face as deadly serious as the dog, and a cup of hot coffee in front of him.
"Stop playing around and get to work!" Roared Bryce as he drew some things from a cabinet and put them aside.
"But now that it's the time, it has finally dawned to me what's really happening!"
Pouting in a childish manner, the bull clung to Bryce in a rather playful way. The bear, obviously embarrassed by this, tried to push Garner off him with brute force, yet without much success. The others ignored the pair, but Forteres now continued his meal with a content smile.
"Now that you mention, i'll be the first time the young Forteres goes to school, isn't it?" On the stool next to Aran, another adult bull, with light brown fur, was also having a cup of coffee; slightly bigger than Garner, his muscled body at plain sight because of the a-shit he was wearing, and a solemn face.
"Yes," answered the panther after swallowing a bite of food, "and to be honest, I'm a little anxious."
"Just remember, if someone tries to do something, don't hesitate to give him a punch!" The labrador said emphatically.
To Forteres, that advice sounded a bit exaggerated, but he nodded anyways.
"That's right! If someone tries something, just cut his-"
"Don't go teaching him weird things!" Bryce clobbered the black bull for his comment, before directing to his son. "Just be careful, I know you'll do fine."
"I'll try to stay always by his side," said Aran solemnly.
"I hope we'll be in the same class."
"Don't worry, I know you will," recovered Garner and answered to his son with confidence.
Both youngs finished their breakfast and, taking their bags laying next to their seats, they stood up.
"Thanks for the meal. We'll be leaving," announced Forteres. At that, Garner shot over the counter and held himself there. Forteres smiled amusedly, and kissed the black bull's cheek, as Garner looked up hopelessly to the heavens.
"I'll be on my way, father," said Aran to the bull sitting at his side.
"Take care of yourself." For most, the interchange would've looked overly formal for father and son, but it suited those two just well.
"We'll meet later," Forteres directed to the labrador.
"Go for it!" The dog responded with fervor, and watched the two youngs leave. But as the door closed, his expression fell slightly. Though, nobody noticed this.
The opening ceremony was held inside the auditorium, a spacious building located west of the campus, opposite to the main entrance. Inside, the students stood on their feet. Closer to the stage were the third-years, followed by the second-years, and lastly the entry students, and while the upperclassmen seemed to be lined up in a pre-arranged manner, neat and elegant, the new students had formed themselves as they had came in. It was a plain-sight difference.
At the most back of the first-years, and further from the stage, stood Forteres, Aran, as well as Boston, with whom they had meet at the entrance, and Alamar, who had openly admitted to had been looking for the panther. Forteres was one to always choose the front or the back, not liking the middle. He wouldn't have minded it for the sake of his companions though, if not for Aran who insisted on it.
"What're you going to do after classes? Will you stay?" Spoke Boston quietly, ignoring the upperclassman who was giving a speech on the stage.
By the cheetah's line of sight, he was asking to the other three, including the reptile. Aran, standing between both felines, ignored him, but Forteres gave a side-glance and nodded before returning to actually paying attention to the upperclassman. Alamar only observed curious.
"That's kind of a dumb question, isn't it?!" Intervened a dog who was in the next row, just in front of Forteres. "Who wouldn't?!"
"Though we'll only see it from the roof." A cat, to the dog's left, also turned and added this teasingly.
"I wonder what'll appear!"
"I hope nothing like the exam's night."
A wolf and a crane also united to the impromptu conversation. Forteres began to worry a tad that they could be reprimanded, and sensing this Aran scowled slightly, but Boston spoke again before he could intrude.
"Those skeleton were entes, isn't it?"
"Seriously!? I wouldn't like to contract with something like a skeleton!"
"From what I've heard, those skeletons guard the school at night."
"Ugh, I hope I don't meet with one of those skeletons again."
"They're cranters," said Forteres abruptly, putting the others in silence and turning their attention towards him. "Those entes are called cranters," he repeated, elaborating further.
The other guys continued to stare in silence and with a mildly stunned expression on their faces. Then it became a more friendly and interested. It was the dog who spoke.
"Oh, then-"
"Good morning!" Interrupted a voice, booming through the auditorium, and certainly some distance through the campus.
All the first-years, or at least those who could, flattened their ears against their heads in recoil. The upperclassmen held, but from their expressions it could be told that they had endured it as their ears ringed. Returning his attention to the stage, Forteres could see that the upperclassman had left, and in his stead a german shepherd woman stood in front of the microphone.
"My dear students. I'm glad to see you again this year, as well as to see this many fresh faces." Her voice was both warm and firm as she spoke. "New students, I personally welcome you all to ForBrates. I'm the principal, Sable Drehd, and from now on be sure our doors will be always open for you. For you, youngs who hold a exceptional capacity among the people, and who had decided to make use of that capacity for the sake of our kingdom. From now onwards, it will be you whom we will count on to protect the peace of the dals. But I am a fervent believer that actions tell more than simple words, so I will end my speech here and let you all experience our faith in you, first-hand, as we shape you into excellent atma-doers. I hope to see you all again in two years and give me an enjoyable surprise," she said these last word with a more playful tone. "Third-years, I'll see you later!"
As the principal left the stage, the first-years could only follow her with their eyes in silence. Then the dog asked discretely to Forteres over his shoulder.
"Hey, what did she mean with two years? Isn't it three?"
"She didn't mean the graduation, of course!" It was actually Boston who answered with a slightly hiss. The dog regarded him confused for an instant, before the canine's face showed understanding.
"Oh, right!" He focused again on the stage when a gorilla stepped forward.
"First-years, we'll begin with the PCIDs and Nests distribution so stay in place. The rest of you are dismissed."
While receiving their new equipment, the students were also given their class assignation. The ceremony had started at eight thirty in the morning, the distribution at nine, and the first-year classrooms were finally occupied at ten. Forteres and Aran sat close to each other, having been assigned to the same class just as Garner had predicted. Alamar was there too, which thrilled the panther.
With only seven students, Forteres did think his class could be labeled as rather small, but he didn't pay much more attention to it, being actually new to the system. He also quickly noticed that the rottweiler from the entry test's night was also there. When the dog caught his eyes, the canine walked over.
"So it seems we're in the same class," he spoke with a mild and calm air. "I think I've not presented myself. I am Aaron MilRose, pleased to make your acquaintance." The dog shook hands with the other three, who presented themselves, before continuing, notably taking focus on Forteres. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you, if you don't mind to hear me out."
"Me?!" Repeated Forteres somewhat taken aback.
"Yes," asserted Aaron. The panther regarded him silently a few seconds before giving a reply, which was positive. He nodded his head at this. "Then, we'll go somewhere quiet during the second rest."
"Until then?"
"Yes, homeroom should be starting at any moment."
After a short moment, another known rottweiler entered; the instructor from the aptitude test. He wore a suit in the same color scheme as ForBrates' uniform, and a stern expression, though that was most likely how his face simply was. He took place next to the rostrum in the front, with firmness reminiscent of the military. The students were already sitting at their places with full attention.
"First, when I enter the room, your greeting must be 'Good day'. And you will refer to me as Instructor Rose. Is that clear?" He received affirmative answers from his students, and next he activated the light screen terminal in the furniture and spoke as he, dexterous, single-handedly navigated it. "I'll be you homeroom responsible this year, and today I'll explain you a few basic things about your CIDs and the facilities", and then he added, "and I expect you all to put attention this time."
Forteres couldn't help but feel his face a little hot.
After homeroom class, the group was given a ten-minute rest that they had to use to change into their gym clothes; black shorts and a white t-shirt. They gathered on the main field, together with the other classes. With ForBrates' personnel it was possible for all groups of a same year to have the same schedule, eliminating unnecessary planning. When the students began to group themselves according to their classes, Forteres again noticed something peculiar about his. While he was standing together with Aran and Alamar, and even Aaron, his other three classmates had gone each their own way and spread through the field, completely ignoring the group.
"Hey" greeted Boston approaching, next he held himself in a somewhat proud stance, "so I'm in class C. Not too shabby, huh?"
During the distribution of the first-years' equipment, after Aran had been called both he and Forteres had left the auditorium first for their classroom, since their last names where in the first half. That means they hadn't known where the others had been assigned to, at least with the exception of Alamar and Aaron, who had walked into the same classroom a little later.
"Good for you," said Forteres with a polite smile, though he hadn't understood what the cheetah had meant. Then he noticed the other feline looking around vigilantly. He did the same and found that the others were staring at them, something he now thought was occurring too much often.
"Anyways," refocused Boston on the group, "we have a break after this. Do you want to go eat?"
"Well... I don't mind but," Forteres glanced at Aaron. "I already have an appointment."
"Is that so?" Said the cheetah, not looking even a bit discouraged. "We'll do it another time then." As he grinned, he didn't notice that Aaron was glancing at him discretely and with thoughtful eyes.
"Actually, I think you could accompany us, if that's all right with you," spoke the rottweiler, first directing to Boston, then to Forteres. He received an assessing stare from the panther before this one acceded.
"Then," interjected Alamar, "may I come too?" He asked hopefully, more to Forteres than the dog, but it was the later who responded anyways.
"Again, if it's all right with him I don't have any inconvenient."
Forteres began to get curious as to what the dog could want with him, seeing that it maybe wasn't that much of a private matter. He agreed again, and it wasn't too long when the instructors for that class appeared and class started.
Throughout ForBrates, a number of tables and benches could be found for the students to rest. This could be called unusual, taking into account the military disposition of the institution, since due its ample green areas it gave a sentiment akin to that of a park; but that wasn't something to delve too much actually. Aaron led the group to one of those tables in a place apart from the walkways and prying ears. The furniture was spacious enough to fit all of them in a sole side, but the rottweiler and the cheetah took place in one, and the rest in the other; Forteres ended sitting between the two bigger youngs, flanked probably a tad too tightly taking into account the space available. But he ignored that, and waited for the dog to talk first.
"First, I thank you for accepting my invitation, and I'll be direct with my intentions. This could be considered premature, but the reason I called you out is because I'd like to discuss with you about the formation of a unit. To be more precise, I want to form a unit with you as leader."
"Wait there!" Interrupted Boston. "You mean, to form a unit with him as leader, as in you two in the same unit?" He asked as if clarifying because he had heard wrong.
"That's right."
"You serious!?" Exclaimed the cheetah in amused disbelief, his tail swishing behind.
At the other side of the table the others already wore puzzled faces. Forteres side-glanced towards Aran inquiringly, and the bull shook his head, agreeing with him in that he didn't know what the other two were talking about. Forteres returned to the ones in front of him and spoke.
"If you could elaborate further. To start, what do you mean with unit?" This question made both the rottweiler and the cheetah to stare at him with surprised eyes.
"You mean you don't now?" Asked Boston.
"I have no idea what're you talking about either," added Alamar.
Still with a slightly stunned expression, Boston turned towards Aaron, silently asking as how to proceed. The rottweiler was frowning in contemplation.
"I only know what I've read in the brochures," added Forteres, thinking that maybe it could help them to gather their thoughts.
"I see," breathed the dog, and subsequently he stared directly at the others. "Even though it's not official, ForBrates is recognized as a military academy. You know that much isn't it?" He received two nods.
"Then, as you might expect from the military, things pretty much follow a marked hierarchy here," interjected Boston. "You noticed the classes' numbers are weird, didn't you? At least you should've noticed you class is pretty small compared to the others"
Thinking it over a moment, Forteres finally nodded. He actually hadn't noticed it about the other classes, but the point about his had been obvious.
"That's because we're separated according to our level."
"Our level?"
"The result from the written exam does is taken in consideration, but the assessment is mostly based in our result from the aptitude test," retook Aaron calmly. "Not only do they use those soul weights to see if we're fit to perform a contract, but to grade our current atma tolerance as well."
"You mean, as if with a Camwell Clock?" Inquired Forteres.
"I don't know. I don't know how they do it either, but it seems they truly can measure our atma tolerance. So most students focus on the aptitude test and try to train their souls so they can enter a high ranking class. Though without specialized equipment, there isn't much they can do save for staying in constant contact with some ente."
"But even that doesn't help much," moped Boston on the side.
"Until we're given our assignments, none of us actually know in which class we'll be, since during the aptitude test the time of recovery from the shock caused by the burden of the weight seems to be irrelevant. But there's one instance when a person can be certain in which class he'll be assigned to." Aaron took a short breath before continuing. "Do you know what did mean that your soul weight had gained color?"
"You refer to the affinity reaction, isn't it?" Confirmed Forteres, and he received a nod, then he proceeded to elaborate further as his tail snaked lazily and highly behind him. "I had read about the souls weights before, and how some have functions to recognize the elemental affinity someone has. It said this occurred when the user's tolerance was above the set atmatic pressure of the weight by at least a percentage of twenty."
"Uhm, excuse me," said suddenly Alamar, directing towards Forteres. "You said the weight lights up when the... atmatic pressure is exceeded, isn't it? I accept that's new. But he said those weights are also used to measure our tolerance. If I remember correctly, soul weights can't do that."
"Well, it's not theoretically impossible," responded the panther.
"If I'm not wrong, you're the one with a water affinity, aren't you?"
"Well, my weight changed blue so I guess I am."
"Yes," affirmed Aaron. "You three were the only ones whose weights changed color, so we knew since the beginning that you'd be in class A. But returning to your point, as long as you have a parallel system which lights the weight when a specified limit is exceeded it can continue increasing the pressure and measure the person's tolerance. But as you said, soul weights can't do that. The equipment necessary to measure a person's atmatic tolerance is much bigger and wouldn't fit in such small object, and that's where you've misunderstood. I didn't say atmatic tolerance but atma tolerance."
"There's a distinction," said Forteres, seeing the confused expression of the reptile. "Atmatic pressure is given by atmalized objects and machines, while atma pressure is given by the atmosphere and living beings. But most people would say atma for both."
"And unlike with atmatic tolerance, there's no known method to measure atma tolerance save maybe for ForBrates', which's kept a secret."
"Oh gods!" Groaned Boston. "Sorry but I'm starting to get a headache." At this, both dog and cat looked slightly sheepish. "In conclusion, everyone knows that those whose weights change color during the test are going to be in class A without doubt. Let's return to the problem, you two in a unit."
"Why would that be a problem?" Asked Aran with a bit of stir in his tone.
"Because the students from class A always form a unit each, it's almost like a tradition!"
"Let me explain that," intervened the rottweiler.
"Please do, and this time we'll refrain from interrupting, so maybe you could start off with explaining what exactly a unit is." With this the others were forcefully pushed to keep quiet at the same time as they were indirectly scolded.
"I understand," responded Aaron, accepting the bull's point. "A unit is ForBrates' basic student cell, which all activities operate around of. This is extra-official and certainly it's not in the brochures, but this system predominates over the class system which is merely a scholar formality, and more used to categorize the students." Then he went silent, giving the clue to the bull to ask something else.
"Why would the school do that? Doesn't it find it easier to stick to the classroom system?"
"A whim, it'd seem," explained Aaron with his always even voice. "During the academy's first years, rather than classes, extra-scholar associations showed more unity and... competitiveness. During events, members would try to sabotage their own class so that their association leader's would win, and conflicts were not uncommon. This was becoming a problem, but instead of abolishing associations the principal at that time said something like let the kids play, added some rules, and transformed it in a make-believe game of war which prevails until today... He also changed the term to unit."
A snicker escaped from Forteres muzzle while Aran thought over what he had heard. And on the side, Alamar concentrated in himself, having felt a sudden and unknown sentiment of discomfort, but this didn't reflect on his expression and when Aaron spoke again he let it slip his mind.
"But even if it started as a game, the system has gained importance and your achievements in a unit do have value outside the academy. I think this was only possible because we're atma-doers, and for us, power is position. We follow the stronger, and compete with our equals."
"We're quite the simple guys..." commented Boston casually, but then went silent when the bull glared at him, making his tail precipitate downwards.
"I think we can leave the exact details for later, so for now I just would like to know why two students from class A forming a unit is a problem, and why knowing this you'd want to form a unit with my Master."
"As the cat said, it's akin to a tradition," began Aaron, not minding at all the bull's unusual wording. "Class A students are considered the strongest, so following atma-doers' nature they're expected to gather troops and compete amongst them. The thought of two class A students in a same unit is simply unacceptable, especially by the five guilds."
"Then, why?" Asked again Aran, leaving the part about the guilds for another occasion.
"Honestly, it's just a part of my personality. As my father puts it, I'm not suited to be a top."
That made Aran cough awkwardly, and Boston gape, the insides of his ears tinting in red. As for Forteres and Alamar, they stared at the other two confused of their reactions. Aaron remained calm, though he did raise an eyebrow at the first two.
"Is there a problem?" He asked.
"No, pardon that." Aran cleared his throat forcefully. "Please, continue."
"I would say it's a family characteristic, we aren't fitted for leadership positions, or more like we have a natural aversion to them. But that's all right as well; we do not diminish support roles. I must say I was quite surprised when I found I'd been assigned to class A, but I don't intend to abide by the custom and become a leader. So now you know this might be troubling, but I would like you include me in your unit," requested Aaron to Forteres.
"I understand... But why me?"
"I heard it during the entry test night. You want to be a venturer, am I wrong?" At his the panther shook his head in confirmation. "I suppose you must know venturer's not a rewarding career, unless you're a famous figure like Leonard VenDawn, not to mention somewhat dangerous." Aran locked eyes with the feline, and seeing that they remained firm he continued. "I just thought you would make a good leader."
Forteres didn't say a word, a bit stunned and unsure about how to proceed. The silence remained for a moment, the others staring at the thoughtful panther; Aran and Alamar were especially attentive. Forteres sighed, and fixed his eyes on the rottweiler across him.
"All right, let's do it!" He broke with a grin.
"No, wait there!" Gave protest Boston. "Are you sure?! That's just asking for troubles."
"Yes, it sounds interesting."
"I knew it! You're that kind of person!" He declared, rising from his seat and pointing accusingly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the panther feigned ignorance in the most blatant way.
"Calm down," said Aaron to the cheetah, "two class A students in the same unit was an inevitable occurrence this year, so three won't make much of a difference."
"What do you mean?"
As Boston returned to his sitting position, Aaron turned towards the bull on the other side of the table, who took an instant to understand the stare.
"Of course I wouldn't be in a different unit as my Master!" Said Aran as if insulted.
"I also want to be in the same unit as Fort!" Suddenly declared Alamar.
"All right!"
"We'll count on you!"
"Hold!" Yelled the cheetah, his voice finally showing his alarm as he realized the others were serious behind their banters. "That's too much! Four A guys in the same unit! It's the same as putting a huge target on our backs!"
"With this we have five students, but we'll need at least one more to be able to register our unit." Counting in, and ignoring, the yellow feline as well, Aaron declared this before his expression became really serious and his tone heavy. "But the cat is right again, this will make of us a target for both the new units and the upperclassmen. I really doubt the guilds will let this slide, so until the register period begins all of us should keep quiet about it." Across the table Forteres and Alamar nodded at him firmly, and Aran just remained still.
"If this is over, let's just go grab dome food before the break is over, please," said Boston defeated and after a heavy sigh. He began to get up, and so did the others.
"Can I have a word with you?" Said Aran, who hadn't moved at all and looked down at the timber of the table.
"We'll go ahead." With his calm tone, Aaron spoke this to Forteres, understanding that it wasn't them that the bull had meant.
The reptile and the cheetah followed after the dog, after nodding their farewells. Forteres sat down again and waited, and when the others were out of earshot, it was actually him who spoke first.
"Sorry, for deciding this without asking."
"No, that isn't." Aran's voice was hushed and strained. Some seconds passed before he spoke again. "Is this all right?"
"Indeed. For someone who said that he would try to keep a low profile, it seems like I'm doing the opposite," Forteres said with a wry smile. Then he turned to his friend, who was slightly hunched and with his shoulders dropped. He rose from his seat, which made the bull turn and follow him. He stood a short distance behind and held his paw, raising it slightly.
Seeing this, first with wide eyes, and then with a peaceful expression, Aran also rose from the table, only to kneel in front of the panther. He took the feline's paw with his and took it to his mouth, kissing the fur.
"Sorry, I was a fool," he said.
"No, you're my friend."
"Yes, Master."
Once classes were over, instead of starting to leave the campus, all the students remained, for two different reasons. The third-years had another ceremony to attend. For them, probably this one was more important than graduation itself. All of ForBrates' main personnel would be there, as well as the students' closest relatives. And as for the second and first-years, they simply were there to watch, even if they had to limit themselves to observe from a distance.
Forteres and the rest stood on the rooftop of one of the specialized buildings, which was the best viewing spot they could secure as the second-years had taken the gym. Obviously, the new students had not given even one complaint at this. The distance was big in comparison to the gym's, which was located just next to the main field, but the new students didn't waver in emotion at any moment.
"When'll start?" Someone asked.
With his sight fixed on the field, the panther could see the third-years formed orderly, with a wide space between each other. The spectators watched from the sidelines at a safe distance, while the principal was giving another speech from a platform. The ceremony had actually started since a time ago, but Forteres knew that wasn't what the other young had meant.
"How they do it anyways? I don't see any contract circle at all."
"Maybe because we can't see much at all."
Listening to the side-comments, Forteres continued to scrutinize the third-years, searching for something specific.
"I can't see it."
"What?" Asked Boston.
"The proxy," explained Forteres, squinting his eyes as he tried to focus his eyes as much as he could muster. "To form the contract, the students are given a proxy which is synchronized with ForBrates' contract circle."
"Oh, so that's how it's done."
"It's written in the brochure."
"Sorry, nobody reads the brochure," commented Boston. "But can you see it from here?"
"I have a good sight."
"You have beautiful eyes too," added abruptly Alamar, looking down at the panther.
"Ah?" The feline mumbled, taken aback.
"One amethyst and the other lush green. I think they go well with both colors of your fur," complimented the reptile gently.
Forteres turned towards his left and stares at his companion, showing clearly the described arrangement. His right eye was a purple amethyst, surrounded by black pelt; on his left side, where that single patch of differently colored fur circled his eye, it was green against white. He had both eyes open wide as he tried to not make an odd face, but he couldn't do anything about the uncomfortable heat he began to feel. At his other side, Aran's eyebrow twitched, trying to not make an odd face too.
"Oh, it's true," exclaimed Boston, realizing that for the first time. He had always focused on the contrasting white fur, not noticing the odd eye.
"Here it comes!" It was yelled.
The first-years began to lean against the rooftop's edge, trying to increase their proximity. Forteres quickly returned his attention to the field, where the third-years held their right arms raised, holding something. That was, without doubt, the proxy. Individual contract circles started to appear beneath the youngs, written in white luminous lines. But these didn't radiate a shine, so Forteres was probably the only one who could see them well. At least until the circles opened.
The new students stirred more, to the point where some had to elbow the ones behind them before they fell over, but all movement ceased when the field began to be covered by bright lights of various colors. Standing in the centre of the contract circle, it was as if a barrier of light had been erected around each student, each with a hue and lightness unique to them that symbolized their affinity. A few long seconds passed for everyone before the first circle exuded a colored smoke, upwards, like a cannon, disappearing the person inside from sight. Then it stopped, the previous light wall gone, and all eyes focused on the flashy cloud that now floated above the young's head.
More and more circles did the same, the sight of the field begging to be blocked by the colorful smoke for the first-year who observed from the rooftop. This was not something to complain about though. They stared even more intently as those clouds took definition and solidity, and the first entes finally appeared.
Forteres mind stopped to think logically, simply delving into the emotion of the sight. This was what he had dreamed about, even before that promise.
"Look at that!"
At that exclamation, he quickly returned to his senses and surveyed the field. His attention fell on a particularly big cloud that was growing even more. The grayish brown smoke then began to harden into a big ente that seemed to be covered in rocks. Seeing this, the young under the small giant darted out the way, in time before the ente descended heavily on the ground, lifting the dust with force. Fortunately the other third-years were at a good distance and, save for a round of cheers, nothing else occurred.
On the rooftop, the first-years around Forteres also cheered and whistled loudly. The panther felt his heart beat faster with the atmosphere, which didn't dim at all when all the contracts were done. That had been only the first group after all.